An SC Certificate in Ladakh is an official document issued by the Revenue Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh. It certifies that the holder belongs to one of the communities notified as Scheduled Castes (SCs) for the Union Territory under the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order, 1956 (C.O. 52). This Order became applicable to Ladakh when it was formed as a separate Union Territory on 31 October 2019.
The SC list for Ladakh contains 13 notified communities. However, community membership alone does not establish eligibility. Under the applicable Presidential Order, a person must also profess Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism to qualify for Scheduled Caste status.
The concerned Tehsildar is the designated authority for issuing an SC Certificate in Ladakh. Eligible residents can apply through the Ladakh Administration's e-SEVA portal or submit an application directly at their local Tehsildar's office. The certificate helps eligible applicants claim SC reservation benefits in government employment, educational admissions, Central Government scholarships and other applicable welfare schemes.
SC Communities Notified for Ladakh
The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order, 1956 (C.O. 52) recognises the following 13 communities as Scheduled Castes for the Union Territory of Ladakh:
- Barwala
- Basith
- Batwal
- Chamar or Ramdasia, Chamar-Ravidas, Chamar-Rohidas
- Chura, Bhangi, Balmiki, Mehtar
- Dhyar
- Doom or Mahasha, Dumna
- Gardi
- Jolaha
- Megh or Kabirpanthi
- Ratal
- Saryara
- Watal
Membership in one of these communities is not sufficient by itself. The Presidential Order restricts Scheduled Caste status to members of the notified communities who profess Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism. Members professing Islam or Christianity do not qualify for SC status under this Order.
Applicants should also distinguish the Ladakh SC list from the list applicable to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. For example, the Valmiki community is specifically included for Jammu and Kashmir under the 2024 amendment but is not included in the SC list applicable to Ladakh.
Eligibility for SC Certificate in Ladakh
To obtain an SC Certificate in Ladakh, an applicant must establish both their membership in a notified community and their eligibility under the applicable residence and religious conditions.
The following conditions apply:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- The applicant must belong to one of the 13 communities notified as Scheduled Castes for Ladakh under C.O. 52 of 1956.
- The applicant must profess Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism. Members of the same communities professing Islam or Christianity are not eligible for SC status.
- The applicant must be an ordinary resident of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- The applicant must hold a valid Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority in Ladakh.
- The applicant must provide supporting records establishing their community background and family or ancestral connection, as required by the issuing authority.
The Scheduled Caste population in Ladakh is relatively small compared with its Scheduled Tribe population. Approximately 96% of Leh district's population belongs to Scheduled Tribe communities. The SC communities form a smaller segment of the population and are found in both Leh and Kargil districts.
Documents Required for SC Certificate in Ladakh
Applicants need to submit documents supporting their identity, residence and claimed caste membership. The following documents are listed for the SC Certificate application:
- Recent passport-size photograph of the applicant
- Application form in the prescribed format under the applicable Reservation Rules
- Affidavit supporting the applicant's community identity
- Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority in Ladakh
- Attested copy of the Ration Card showing family details
- Certified copy of the relevant Voter List entry
- Extract of Misal-i-Haqiyat, Jamabandi or Shajra Nasab, where applicable
- SC Certificate or caste-related record of the applicant's parents or close blood relatives, if available
- Aadhaar Card of the applicant
- Any additional document required by the concerned Tehsildar for verification
Keep the original documents available for verification when submitting the application or collecting the certificate. The Tehsildar may examine the supporting records to establish the applicant's family background and connection with the claimed community.
Revenue records such as Misal-i-Haqiyat and Jamabandi can help establish historical land and family details. Shajra Nasab records can also support the verification of ancestry. Applicants can approach the Revenue Department for these records, where available.
How to Apply for an SC Certificate in Ladakh Online
The Ladakh Administration provides an online application facility through its e-SEVA portal. Eligible residents can use this platform to submit their SC Certificate applications and track their progress.
Follow these steps to apply online:
- Visit the official Ladakh e-SEVA portal.
- Register as a new user using your mobile number and required personal details. If you already have an account, log in with your existing credentials.
- Open the services directory and look for SC Certificate or Scheduled Caste Certificate under the Revenue Department services.
- Select the SC Certificate service to open the online application form.
- Enter your personal information, community name, religion and residential details in the relevant fields.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents, including your Domicile Certificate, Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, affidavit and relevant revenue records.
- Review the information and uploaded documents before submitting the application.
- Submit the form and save the acknowledgement or application reference number generated by the portal.
- Use the reference number on the e-SEVA portal to track your application status.
- After approval, download the digitally signed SC Certificate from the portal or collect it from the concerned Tehsildar's office, as applicable.
How to Apply for an SC Certificate Offline at the Tehsildar Office
Applicants who prefer to complete the process in person can visit the Tehsildar's office responsible for their area. The offline application process involves the following steps:
- Visit your concerned Tehsildar's office and request the SC Certificate application form in the prescribed format under the applicable Reservation Rules.
- Fill in the form with your personal details, community name, religion and residential history.
- Attach self-attested copies of the required documents, including your Domicile Certificate, Ration Card, Voter List entry, affidavit and relevant revenue records.
- Carry the original documents for verification by the concerned officials.
- Submit the completed application and supporting documents at the designated counter.
- The Tehsildar's office will examine your application and verify the supporting records. A complete application will be processed under the applicable service delivery norms.
- After approval, collect your SC Certificate from the Tehsildar's office.
Tehsildar Office Locations in Ladakh
Ladakh has two districts: Leh and Kargil. Applicants should approach the Tehsildar responsible for their residential area rather than submitting the application to an unrelated office.
- Leh District: Tehsildar Office, DC Office Complex, Near Pologround, Leh-Ladakh, PIN 194101. Phone: +91-1982-252013.
- Kargil District: Tehsil Office, Kargil, Baroo, Kargil, PIN 194105.
Residents living outside the district headquarters can approach their respective Tehsil or Sub-Divisional Tehsil office. Ladakh also has offices serving areas such as Nubra, Zanskar, Drass, Sankoo and Shakar Chiktan, among others.
Why Is a Domicile Certificate Required for an SC Certificate in Ladakh?
Ladakh became a separate Union Territory on 31 October 2019. Following this change, the earlier Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) framework applicable under the former Jammu and Kashmir state system was replaced by the Domicile Certificate system.
A Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority establishes the applicant's residence in Ladakh. It is included in the document requirements for an SC Certificate application.
If you do not already have a Ladakh Domicile Certificate, you should apply for it before submitting your SC Certificate application. Read our separate guide on how to apply for a Domicile Certificate in Ladakh.
SC Certificate Processing Time and Validity in Ladakh
The concerned Tehsildar processes SC Certificate applications within the time prescribed under the applicable service delivery norms in Ladakh. The actual processing period may depend on document verification, the completeness of the application and other prescribed procedures.
Applicants who apply online can track their application using the reference number generated by the e-SEVA portal. Those who submit their forms offline can contact the Tehsildar's office where they filed the application.
An SC Certificate issued by the competent authority in Ladakh establishes the holder's membership in a community notified as a Scheduled Caste for the Union Territory. It can be used to claim applicable reservation benefits in Central Government employment and Central educational institutions, subject to the relevant rules and notification requirements.
The certificate does not have a routine expiry date. However, a particular recruitment, admission or scholarship notification may prescribe a specific certificate format, issuing-authority requirement or recent issue date. Applicants should check the relevant notification before submitting their certificate.
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